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Christal Jackson Scholarship

In 1990 a little 4 year old dancer joined MSSOD's pre dance class.  She was not only a wonderful dancer, a bubbly smiler on stage or an A+ student but one of the nicest people you would ever meet.

 

 Christal grew up dancing, graduated at the top of her class at Greece Olympia and at SUNY Fredonia.  While at SUNY Fredonia, she was a member of their dance team and was Captain her senior year.  Christal graduated and moved to North Carolina where she was offered a job as a High School Math teacher.  She loved teaching and was loved by her students in return.

 

 In 2009 she was in Rochester helping with the MSSOD 2009 dance recital as a stage manager along with her mother Karen.  Christal was also planning her wedding as she had recently become engaged.  She returned home to North Carolina to begin her second year of teaching.  As she was setting up her classroom, she became ill and went to see her doctor.  She ended up in the hospital and learned that she was afflicted with Lymphoma.

 

Christal never complained or asked "why me?" She remained strong, hopeful and an insperation to everyone at MSSOD and to the people that knew her.  Unfortunately Christal lost her battle with Lymphoma on June 11, 2010.  She passed away peacefully with her family by her side.  

 

Our sympathy, love, and prayer as always go out to Karen (her mom), Katie (her sister), Greg & Jake (her brothers), Lorraine (her grandma)  and all of her extended family - many of whom have been associated with MSSOD for many years.

 

     Christal, you will remain in our hearts forever.  You were an inspiration to us all!

The Marilyn Schneider School of Dance established the Christal Jackson Scholarship which is given annually at the finale of the 3rd show to a deserving dancer who reminds us of many of Christal's attributes - kind, responsible, a perfectionist and of course, a beautiful smile!

2021 Winner

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Aleigha Morrison

Past Winners

2020 Hannah Bardeen

2019     Rachel Rightmeyer

2018     Meghan Wido

2017     Stephanie Shtoyko

2016     Megan Frankenberger

2015     Jamie Heinrich

2014     Nick Wawrzaszek

2013     Alanna Ackert

2012     Brittany Ward

2011     Miranda Potter

2010     Katelyn Jackson

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